Category: New Zealand Government – Business

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Prolife Foods in its recall of specific batches of various Value Pack and Refill Pack products containing peanuts.

“The concern with these products is that they contain levels of aflatoxins above the allowable level in New Zealand,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

The products affected by this recall are:

• Value Pack (VP) Nuts and Raisins (400g) with a Best Before: 29 SEP 2024
• Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (400g) with a Best Before: 08 OCT 2024 and 15 OCT 2024
• Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (750g) with a Best Before 08 OCT 2024
• Refill Pack brand Roasted Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 MAR 2024
• Refill Pack brand Raw Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 OCT 2024

“If you have bought any of these products, don’t consume them and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

“Aflatoxins are naturally occurring in many food products and are produced by a group of moulds that grow on foods produced in hot and tropical climates.

“Levels of aflatoxin in the New Zealand diet are usually very low and don’t represent a health risk, however, consumption of food products with increased levels of aflatoxin over an extended period of time can be harmful.”

The affected products are sold at selected supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for more information about batch details and photographs of the affected product.

Prolife Foods Value Pack and Refill Pack Products Containing Peanuts

“The recalled products are imported and, although they have undergone the necessary testing, they were released by the importer in error without confirming the results,” says Mr Arbuckle.

The products have been removed from stores. The affected products are not available overseas.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Prolife Foods to understand how the products were released and to prevent it happening again,” Mr Arbuckle said.

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness. 

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page. 

NZFS food recall page

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is reminding dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date with their flea and tick treatment, after the parasite Babesia gibsoni was detected in a dog in the Canterbury region.

“The parasite is often transmitted by ticks, so we are encouraging dog owners to make sure their dogs are up to date with their flea and tick treatment,” says Biosecurity New Zealand’s chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel.

Babesia gibsoni is widespread around the rest of the world, including Australia, but this is the first case in a New Zealand-bred dog. It can cause the disease babesiosis, which is not present in New Zealand. Most dogs will only experience mild symptoms, if any, but the disease can be severe in some cases.

“Along with ticks, the parasite can also be spread through dog bites, blood transfusion and through the placenta from an infected mother to her pups. In countries where Babesia gibsoni is widespread, the focus is on preventing infection by treating dogs with tick treatments or combined with flea treatments, and limiting fighting behaviour.”

Dr van Andel says dog owners shouldn’t be alarmed.

“At this stage we are aware of just one case of Babesia gibsoni in New Zealand. We are working hard to determine whether this is an isolated case and where it came from.”

Overseas, the parasite is often found in a select group of dog breeds – pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and greyhounds are the most commonly affected breeds.

Dogs without symptoms or that have recovered from infection often reach a balance where their immune system suppresses the parasite. However, this means they may still spread the parasite and may develop disease if they become immune compromised.

Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with the owners of the infected dog to identify other dogs she had been in contact with so they can be tested. The affected dog was euthanised at its owners’ request due to it being extremely unwell.

“A second dog in the household has had blood taken for testing and early results are negative for the disease. Samples have also been taken from several dogs known to be close contacts of the infected dog and another playmate of the infected dog,” says Dr van Andel.

“We’re asking vets to help our investigation by contacting us if they have any suspected cases of Babesia gibsoni and have been in touch with registered doggy daycare operators to alert them to the case so they can keep an eye out for ticks and remain vigilant in preventing biting and fighting between dogs.”

If dog owners are concerned about their pets’ health, their first port of call should be their veterinarian.

Further information about Babesia gibsoni can be found on the MPI website.

Babesia gibsoni: a tick-borne parasite affecting dogs

For more information email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is directing a recall of all raw fruit juice from Our Fruit Box or OFB and is advising people not to consume the product.

“This raw fruit juice presents a food safety risk because it has not been through the required checks and balances to make sure it is safe to consume,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“The company making these juices has not been registered under the Food Act, so consumers cannot be certain that risks have been properly identified and managed.

“The product is a raw fruit juice and for that reason food safety controls are crucial. Without proper controls during processing of food, pathogens can enter the product.

“Pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and norovirus can be present in the juice, making it unsafe to consume, particularly for people who are young, older, pregnant or with weakened immune systems.”

The recalled raw juice has limited identifying labelling or branding and may be sold in 20 litre plastic containers labelled ‘OFB’ and in unlabelled bottles of different shapes and sizes.

Available information suggests the raw fruit juice has been available for sale through informal sellers, door-to-door through businesses, local markets and online on their website.

OFB – Our Fruit Box

“If you have bought this product – either labelled OFB or Our Fruit Box, or with limited or no identifying labelling or branding – do not consume it and throw it out,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“If you are unsure of whether an unlabelled product you have bought is OFB, ask the supplier.”

For more information and food safety advice, refer to the New Zealand Food Safety webpage:

Warning about Our Fruit Box raw fruit juices

If you have any concerns about these products, call MPI’s consumer helpline on 0800 00 83 33.

There have been no reports of associated illness to date.

If you have consumed this product and have any health concerns, seek medical advice. Contact your health professional or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16.

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting food company Matakana Smokehouse in its recall of a specific batch of 2 of its salmon products due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Affected products are as follows:

• Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Citrus Gravlax (variable sizes) – Use By 10-04-24
• Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Kaffir Gravlax (variable sizes) – Use By 10-04-24

Gravlax is cured Salmon.

Up-to-date details of products affected by the recall, including photographs, are available on our food recall page.

Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Citrus Gravlax and Kaffir Gravlax

“The concern with this product is that it may contain Listeria, a foodborne bacterium that can make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle.

“Listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups, such as pregnant people and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

“Listeria differs to other harmful bacteria in that it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so you have to be very careful about the foods you eat, or provide to others, if you or they are in a vulnerable group.

“It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth, and infection in the new-born baby.”

This product should not be eaten. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.

Infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, at most causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food. For those in the vulnerable groups, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks – or even longer – before symptoms appear.

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

The recalled product is being removed from shelves at stores.  The affected products are sold at the following stores:

• Stock Deli – Shop 7/11 Marina Road, Tutukaka, Northland
• Omaha Superette – 4/1 Matariki Street Omaha, Auckland
• IE Produce – 1 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna, Auckland

No export has occurred. 

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered as a result of routine testing. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notification of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Matakana Smokehouse to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

For more information, email: NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has temporarily closed a small, contained water park in Taupō from tomorrow following the discovery of the invasive freshwater gold clam.

“After confirming the presence of the clam in the lagoon at Lake Taupō Aqua Park, Biosecurity New Zealand has worked with the operators of park around the temporary closure, and thank them for their cooperation,” says Biosecurity New Zealand director of readiness and response, John Walsh.

“We encourage anyone who has been at the aqua park in the past week to wash their togs and towels in hot water and thoroughly dry them for at least 48 hours before using them in any other river or lake.”

The freshwater gold clam was seen by Biosecurity New Zealand staff this week, who were inspecting the lagoon following a positive environmental DNA test.

Mr Walsh says the clam is contained to the lagoon.

“The lagoon at the Lake Taupō Aqua Park doesn’t discharge water into any other body of water, including Lake Taupō and the Waikato River,” says Mr Walsh.

“Because of this, the most likely way that clams could spread from the lagoon would be human activity, so temporarily closing the lagoon while we look at longer term options for dealing with the clams there is the best way to avoid this.

“We think the clam has likely been in the lagoon for 2 to 3 years.

“We’ve increased our surveillance in the surrounding area in response to this find, and so far there are no indications of the clam in any nearby waterways including the Waikato River and Lake Taupō.”

Biosecurity New Zealand has a national surveillance plan for the clam in place, with a primary focus of detecting any spread of the clam beyond its current known locations on the Waikato River and now, the Lake Taupō Aqua Park.  

More information about the clam and the biosecurity measures in place can be found on the Biosecurity New Zealand website.

Freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea)

For more information please email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.